Bill > S2315

This bill establishes two competitive grant programs administered by the Secretary of the Interior to support migratory waterfowl populations. The first program, the Hen House Grant Program, will provide funding to eligible entities (including state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofits, and individuals) to strategically place, build, and maintain "hen houses" - cylindrical nest structures installed in prairie pothole regions to improve nesting success rates for migratory waterfowl. The second program, the Breeding Habitat Grant Program, will focus specifically on California, providing grants to develop breeding habitat by establishing nesting cover, creating brood ponds, and offering incentives to landowners to support waterfowl breeding. The bill recognizes that duck populations are threatened by habitat loss and that modest investments in nesting structures and habitat management can significantly improve waterfowl production. The legislation allocates $3.5 million annually through 2030 for each grant program, with funds drawn from the Department of the Interior's Departmental Operations account. The bill highlights that these efforts are crucial for maintaining healthy migratory bird populations, particularly in the prairie pothole region, which serves as the primary nesting grounds for most North American ducks.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2315/all-info